Curriculum
Year 7
Introduction to Drama:

In the Autumn term of Year 7, the teaching focus is on introducing new drama skills to the students.  Movement and mime are important elements of the work this term; they help develop concentration, physical co-ordination and expressiveness.  Language development is emphasised in order to develop confidence, extend vocabulary and encourage verbal fluency.  Pair and group improvisation is used to encourage creativity within a group situation and the need to structure creativity is the main focus of tasks.  A variety of drama forms will be introduced to help students experiment with ideas and ways of presenting their work.
Evacuation:
Students will explore evacuation during world war two. Students will: build Drama from a history stimulus.
• To learn and use the Drama skill of Flashbacks
• To learn and use the Drama skill of Thought Tracking
• To learn and use the Drama skill of Split Scene
• To improve use of Still Images
• To create and sustain a role
• To further skills of concentration, belief and co-operation
• To use and respond to sound / sound effects in a piece of work
Movement:
Students cover the range of movement skills from mimetic through to abstract, the importance of movement and body language for everyday communication is stressed, fitness and breathing are also emphasised. Students will be expected initially to structure simple movement pieces building through to larger and more complex structures using a variety of movement styles.  The work will include rhythmic and non-rhythmic work and there will also be a mix of music based and non-music based movement.
Year 8
Structure and Style:
Students will be look at a variety of styles of drama including: soap opera, mime, comedy, narration and this will be combined with drama skills/techniques gained from Year 7 drama. These devices provide an excellent link into the devising scheme of work in the summer term.
Shakespeare:
Shakespearian texts are studied as theatre, not literature; subjects covered will include an introduction to the historical context to the plays.  Students will study and produce practical work on: the use of language and verse; the use of tension and dramatic irony; the skills of playing tragedy and comedy; the use of the theatrical elements of lighting, sound, costume and make up to enhance the text, the uses of a play within a play; and of the magical elements to the plays.
Devising:
Summer term, involves the students in developed individual and group improvisation based on the theme "disaster".
Year 9
Script Work:
Students use both existing scripts and ones written by group members. They will be taught the conventions of dramatic literature and the language of theatre. Students will rehearse and perform scripts in order to work on the skills of recreating the ideas of others; students will also take on the position of writer themselves.  They will have to interpret scripts written by other group members, as well as having the chance to see their own work performed by others.
Narrative/Characterisation
Students are introduced in Year 9 to developing Character through movement centred exercises and later construct group performances influenced by Physical Theatre techniques that they have been taught. Their understanding of character physicality and its communication to an audience is brought to their performance of scripted drama at the end of the Spring Term. 
Devising:
Summer term, involves the students in developed individual and group improvisation based on the theme "secrets".
 
» BACK TO TOP